Dave Tribbett had already made his mark as a poultry industry innovator before he discovered the dual benefits of growing Giant miscanthus grass. 

The son of an FFA advisor started out by leasing some farmland and chicken houses while still in high school. With hard work, strategic diversification, and a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability, he never looked back. Today, his Twin Maples Farms raises more than 1 million chickens annually in eight poultry houses, and 1,500 acres of crops, including corn, soybeans, and lima beans.

Dave’s adaptability was evident when he pioneered the use of wooden trussed poultry barns. His 65-by-500-foot design improved construction efficiency, lowered costs, and became the regional industry standard.

In search of a better bedding for his chicken flocks, he began growing miscanthus, a sterile, non-invasive perennial grass. The cane-like plant reaches heights of 12 feet and produces up to 8-12 tons of biomass per acre. He planted the first 30 acres on areas that were erosion-prone, soils high in phosphorus, and otherwise unproductive cropland. 

The harvested grass provides a clean, soft, dry, absorbent, dust-free bedding, that reduces flies, pests, and odors. Miscanthus fields stabilize soils, filter runoff, improve water retention, and enhance carbon sequestration, with no herbicides and minimal fertilizer inputs needed. By drying naturally in the field, no further drying is required. This reduces energy use when compared to wood shavings that require intense energy.

Within a few years, Dave expanded his miscanthus production to 1,000 acres, significantly reducing legacy phosphorus and nitrate which historically have contributed to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay estuary. Off the farm, he advocated for the crop as an added-value resource for poultry producers, and an environmental buffer for Maryland’s waterways and ecosystems. 

The long-term soil health benefits of miscanthus, including increasing soil organic matter and reducing nutrient runoff, are well-documented at Twin Maples Farms. Data from 2020 showed a reduction in surface erosion by up to 97.7 percent on converted acres, along with a significant reduction in nitrate leaching and phosphorus runoff. In addition, nearly 600 tons of carbons are sequestered annually.

Twin Maples Farms farm serves as a living laboratory for research on miscanthus’s role in nutrient reduction, erosion control, and buffer efficacy. David believes it’s a new water infiltration tool with the ability to heal farmland damaged by hurricanes. He frequently hosts tours for students, farmers, policymakers, and community groups, to share his knowledge.

His leadership in environmental conservation didn’t stop there. 

He founded the Mid Atlantic Organic Resource Company (MAORC), which transforms agricultural by-products into high-quality organic compost. Marquis Roberts, the compost facility’s farm manager is credited with helping Dave achieve a closed loop system where resources are recycled and reused within a continuous cycle.  

Last year, MAORC diverted more than 19,360 tons of poultry and horse manure, hatchery and egg waste, and grain waste from landfills. These nutrient-rich agricultural by-products, coupled with miscanthus for carbon, helped MAORC produce 27,000 tons of organic compost sold to farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, promoting soil health and resource efficiency.

Dave, who self-funded all his major conservation initiatives, has proven that environmental stewardship and agricultural success are not mutually exclusive. His proactive approach is setting a regional standard for conservation-minded agriculture, fostering a community-wide shift toward environmentally responsible practices.